Case Dismissed in Taylor Swift Plagiarism Lawsuit
The judge found Marasco’s poems lacked protectable expression and that her amended complaint failed to plausibly show copying.
- On Monday, July 6, United States District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed with prejudice a copyright lawsuit brought by Florida poet Kimberly Marasco against Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner, Republic Records, and Universal Music Group.
- Marasco sued 14 months ago, accusing the 36-year-old singer of copying lines from two poetry books in more than a dozen songs, including "The Man" and "The Great War."
- Cannon ruled the poems lacked "protectable expression," finding they shared only "basic ideas and themes," "ubiquitous metaphors," and common phrases, while one of Marasco's books sold only 300 copies globally.
- Marasco stated she disagrees with the decision and will be appealing it, though dismissal with prejudice means the judgment is final and she cannot refile the matter in court.
- Swift faces a separate legal challenge from Las Vegas performer Maren Flagg regarding the trademark of her song "The Life of a Showgirl," following the singer's marriage to Travis Kelce on July 3.
45 Articles
45 Articles
Taylor Swift defeats Kimberly Marasco's copyright lawsuit as judge dismisses lyric-copying claims over hit albums
In a significant win for Taylor Swift, a court has dismissed a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by poet Kimberly Marasco. Judge Aileen Cannon found that Marasco's claims failed to present any protectable expression and highlighted that common themes and phrases do not qualify as copyright violations. Swift's legal representation labeled the lawsuit as unfounded, and while Marasco intends to appeal, the judge's ruling stands firm.
In a complaint that was amended several times and filed in February 2025, Kimberly Marasco sued Taylor Swift.
Still In The Honeymoon Phase, Taylor Swift Notches Legal Victory From Interesting Source
Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! A copyright claim against Taylor Swift was dismissed this week by which Donald Trump-appointed judge? Hint: The case, filed by poet Kimberly Marasco, alleged Swift stole themes from the poet’s self-published work. However, the judge — well known in legal circles for unique interpretations — found the similarities were “basic ideas and themes,” which are not “a proper subject of c…
The singer achieved a new judicial triumph in the United States after a federal judge definitively dismissed the lawsuit for alleged infringement filed by independent writer Kimberly Marasco.
Poet's copyright lawsuit against Taylor Swift tossed again
A federal judge in Florida dismissed with prejudice a copyright lawsuit brought against Taylor Swift by self-published poet Kimberly Marasco, ruling (not for the first time!) that the material Marasco claimed Swift stole is not protected by copyright at all. Marasco alleged that more than a dozen songs from Lover, Folklore, Evermore, Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department lifted from poems she wrote between 2017 and 2021. — Read the rest T…
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